KwaZulu-Natal has it all

KwaZulu-Natal is one of South Africa’s most underrated and undiscovered destinations, especially given its wide range of highlights all within easy driving distance of one another.  In just 10 – 14 days you can combine world class hiking, rich and diverse culture, delicious local cuisine (think Durban curries and bunny chows), a dramatic, emotive history and of course, incredible scenery and wildlife.  Not to mention, this stretch of coastline offers the absolute best swimming and surfing conditions in South Africa thanks to its warm Indian Ocean currents and miles and miles of golden, sandy beaches…

From the rugged peaks of the Drakensberg to the breathtaking coastline, the province offers striking scenery and a wide range of activities for every kind of traveller – from honeymooners to multi-generational families. From adventure seekers to fly and floppers…

Its cultural heritage is equally compelling, with opportunities to explore Zulu traditions, historic Battlefields (ever seen the movie Zulu?) where many visitors are reduced to tears through emotive storytelling. Add in superb game viewing in reserves such as Hluhluwe-iMfolozi, Tembe Elephant Park and iSimangaliso Wetland Park, and you’ll quickly see why KwaZulu-Natal is such an all-round, all-year destination that combines adventure, culture, and natural beauty in one unforgettable region. To sum it up, KZN truly has it all!  Here are a few of my favourite places from my most recent trip…

Montusi Mountain Lodge

Montusi Mountain Lodge is a peaceful, family-run retreat in the Northern Drakensberg Nature Reserve, with sweeping views of the iconic Amphitheatre. Montusi is known and loved for its beautiful, family-friendly accommodation, with individual chalets spread out, each in its own private garden for complete privacy and tranquillity. 

It is beautifully located with a range of activities on offer such as guided hikes up to Montusi Peak (usually with a friendly dog in tow), Northern Horse riding, mountain biking, trail runs, fishing, birdwatching and photography. There are also tennis courts, a spa and a playground for kids.

I particularly enjoyed the hike up to the Bushman’s cave, spotting Eland and birds along the way – followed by a loop around the dam. The food was delicious and the pool looked very inviting!

Run by super sisters Lindsey and Cath, Montusi is part of The Carte Collection, it also twins beautifully with sister property The Cavern, run by their Carte cousins duo Megan and Lesley, which is where I headed to next…

The Cavern Drakensberg Resort & Spa

The Cavern is a popular family-run resort in the Northern Drakensberg, tucked in a lush valley, surrounded by the most beautiful gardens, teeming with birds and encircled by the beautiful Berg mountains.

Celebrating 85 years of “Many Happy Returns” this year, this gem is known for its relaxed but vibey, family-friendly atmosphere and wide range of accommodation options which are all beautifully decorated.  Rest assured they have the perfect room for everyone – be it honeymooners, hikers, solo travellers, groups of friends or multi-gen families.

The Cavern has a fabulous Forest Retreat spa where I have had two of the best massages and facial ever, a very warm and friendly Cave Bar, a mini cinema, games room and variety of lounge areas and terraces to relax in and soak in the views.

Outdoor, there is a beautiful pool and a range of activities to choose from such as guided hikes, horse riding, trout fishing, and the nearby All-Out Adventure centre, making it a popular choice for guests who want both nature and comfort.

I particularly enjoyed our early morning Birding Walk through the gardens hosted by Birding expert David Weaver.  I was lucky enough to time my visit perfectly and added a number of new birds to my list on my second walk with him! We also enjoyed a lovely walk at Sungubala to see the Silent Lady rock carving down by the river.

The Cavern is the kind of place that you never want to leave  – and keeps pulling you to return.  I’m only just back and already I’m dreaming of my next Cavern Coffee, the daily 11 o’clock tea on the lawn, the delicious meals in the dining room – and quality family time with my boys.  Roll-on September!

The Elangeni Durban

Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani is a landmark beachfront hotel on Durban’s Golden Mile, offering sweeping views of the Indian Ocean and direct access to the promenade.

With its large selection of rooms, multiple restaurants, pools, and conference facilities, it caters equally well to leisure travellers and business guests, while its central location puts attractions like uShaka Marine World and the Durban ICC within easy reach. The hotel combines classic coastal convenience with a lively city-beach atmosphere, making it a popular base for visitors wanting both comfort and easy access to Durban’s main highlights. The sunrises are definitely worth getting up early for!

Ghost Mountain Inn, Mkuze

After a brief stay in Durban, it was time for some safari!  The drive up to Tembe Elephant Park takes around 5 to 6 hours so a lunch stop enroute is highly recommended.  One of my favourite places, which I have been visiting for well over 2 decades now, is Ghost Mountain Inn in Mkuze.  It’s a short detour off the N2 just before you head over the Lebombo Mountains.   

Set at the foot of the legendary Tshaneni “Ghost” Mountain in Zululand (legendary for its ghostly stories), offers a charming blend of comfort, heritage and natural beauty. It’s a tranquil and very affordable base for exploring this region, from its wildlife-rich reserves to the scenic Lake Jozini.

The family owned and run property features beautifully appointed suites overlooking lush, indigenous gardens filled with birdsong, and a relaxed atmosphere that invites you to wind down and relax.  There are two beautiful pools, a spa as well as  a jetty over a lake and a bird hide on the property. There is also a wide range of activities on offer including guided walks, birding, meaningful, non-touristy Zulu cultural excursions, sundowner safari cruises as well as tiger fishing on Lake Jozini, as well as guided game drives to spot the Big Five in Umkhuze, Hluhluwe and Manyoni.

With its warm hospitality and picturesque setting, Ghost Mountain Inn is an ideal spot to linger longer – or, in our case, made for a fabulous spot for a delicious lunch and comfort stop, sitting at the getaway to one of South Africa’s lesser-explored regions… Maputaland, and our next stop on the Elephant Coast.

Tembe Elephant Park

Tembe Elephant Park, located in northern KwaZulu-Natal near the Mozambique border, is one of South Africa’s most unique and rewarding safari destinations. Renowned for its population of some of Africa’s largest tusked elephants, the park is also a diversity hotspot with a mix of rare sand forest, dense woodlands and wetlands, and is also home to all the Big 5. Tembe offers an intimate, low-impact safari experience with limited visitor numbers (4×4 only) and guided game drives led by knowledgeable local rangers. 

On our recent adventures with guide Sakhile, we barely saw another vehicle in 3 days!  What we did see was some magnificent ellies with beautiful tusks just ambling camly through the sand forest – and a lion taking out a Nyala right in front of us and then calling its cubs to come and tuck in! A real highlight though were our sundowners at Muzi swamp.

 In addition to its famous elephants, the park is home to a variety of wildlife including lion, leopard, black and white rhino, and over 340 bird species (including green twinspot, Woodward’s batis, eastern nicator, Neergaard’s sunbird, Rudd’s apalis, and pink-throated twinspot) making it particularly appealing to both wildlife enthusiasts and birders seeking a more off-the-beaten-track safari.

Tembe is part owned and run by the local Tembe tribe and community and is a true wilderness experience at unbelievable value for money.  Nothing quite like listening to the sounds of the bush from your tent at night – or whiling away the hours in the Mahlasela Elephant Hide…

Tembe holds such a special place in my heart, nearly 30 years since my first visit.

Biyela Lodge at mFulaWozi Wilderness

Biyela Lodge, set within the community-owned Mfulawozi Wilderness, on the southern, unfenced boundary of Hluhluwe-iMfolozi offers an exclusive and intimate safari experience with breathtaking views over the White iMfolozi River, where you can regularly spot wildlife crossing, including large herds of elephants.

Designed to blend seamlessly into its natural surroundings, the contemporary style lodge features just twelve standalone suites, each with its own private deck. Mine had a beautiful infinity plunge pool- with equally stunning views from its bathtub!

The reserve itself is part of a successful rewilding initiative, where community-led conservation and low-impact tourism go hand in hand, and guests can enjoy guided game drives, bush walks, and exceptional birding in a Big 5 environment. Across the river (love an engine revving river crossing!) you have the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park too to explore.

With its focus on privacy, sustainability, and authentic wilderness immersion, Biyela Lodge is not-to-be-missed.  I loved the food which was top notch throughout our stay with a healthy dose of wow-factor but the real highlight was spotting a leopard just behind the lodge – two evenings in a row. 

It caused such excitement at the lodge that we had rangers ditching their off time and leaping out of their showers to come and see the sighting for themselves! We also saw two lions chasing – and being chased back in return by a wild dog!   Jason, our guide, was a bit of a cat whisperer, I think!

Sala Beach Villa

Our final stop on our KZN adventure was Sala Beach House, located in the coastal town of Shaka’s Rock on the Dolphin Coast.  This intimate boutique retreat has won a number of awards, is the first hotel on KwaZulu-Natal’s North Coast to receive TGCSA’s 5-Star Premium status and is also Fair Trade certified.   

Overlooking the Indian Ocean, the stylish property combines contemporary design with warm hospitality, featuring elegantly appointed rooms, lush gardens, and a tranquil infinity pool area that leads directly onto the beach.  

 We stayed in its plush 3 bedroomed villa, starting off our idyllic morning with yoga on the deck as the sun rose, followed by a hearty breakfast, a decadent massage in the spa, and a long walk along the beach before heading to the nearby King Shaka airport.  What a way to end an epic adventure.

Why KZN has it all

Last year, South Africa apparently welcomed more than 10 million visitors which was an increase of over 17% year on year, with KwaZulu-Natal highlighted as one of the major growth drivers.  Durban’s beaches recorded almost 7 million visitors over its festive season (December to mid-January), confirming the scale of its domestic popularity. 

In fact, KwaZulu-Natal is South Africa’s top scoring domestic tourism destination and its second most popular province for international visitors after Cape Town. Tourism in the province is also said to account for more than 14,000 jobs.

There are so many reasons I love KwaZulu-Natal – but at the heart of it all, it’s where I feel you truly get to experience an authentic, culturally rich, taste of real Africa! 

For more information on visiting this incredible region of South Africa please visit South African Tourism and KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority.

Claire Roadley

Claire Roadley is Founder of Umlingo. Umlingo promotes authentic, sustainable hotels and safari eco lodges across Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands. If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.